Saints rookie report: Kenny Stills

Kenny Stills was selected by the Saints in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Oklahoma standout ended his three-year career ranked fourth in the school record books with 204 receptions, third in yardage with 2,594 yards and fifth in TD receptions with 24.

In 2012, Stills opened all 13 games his junior year, leading the team with a career-high 82 receptions for 959 yards (11.7 average) and 11 touchdowns, adding 22 yards on two carries. He was unanimously selected to the All-Big 12 Conference second team. Stills is one of several talented young receivers battling for a roster spot including Nick Toon, Joe Morgan, Saalim Hakim, Jarred Fayson , Andy Tanner and Brent Leonard.

What has been the biggest transition from college to NFL?

“I would just say getting used to the guys in the locker room and trying to build that chemistry again. You come from kind of being the guy in your locker room to not really knowing anybody so learning everybody’s names and getting used to how everybody acts and how we’re supposed to act and conduct ourselves in the locker room.”

“You can’t complain about catching a ball from Drew (Brees), just knowing that 99 percent of the time it is going to be perfect just puts a lot of pressure on the receiver to run great routes. It makes it fun for us knowing that if we get open the ball is going to be there.”

What have you done to get acclimated to the heat?

“Just making sure that I’m treating my body right and taking in the proper fluids. Getting the right rest, not putting anything in my body I shouldn’t be.”

Have the veterans given you any advice?

“Watching Lance (Moore) and Marques (Colston), they aren’t too vocal or loud guys. They lead by example so just watching what they do and watching a lot of film has helped me a lot.”

What do you love most about New Orleans so far?

“The people. It’s great to be in a place where football is so important and you feel like they are counting on you to play so well. It’s been great to be surrounded by such great fans and the coaching staff and the players here.”